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For dog owners, it seems that dog obedience training simply can’t be ignored: even when it comes to dog grooming.

Let’s assume for a moment that a professional dog groomer wouldn’t mind being scratched, bitten, or outright mauled by your dog, who will dependably freak out at the sight of a nail trimmer or clipper. Let’s assume for another moment that your dog groomer has to use restraints, muzzles, and other implements with which to control your maniacal hound.

Why? Not only is the safety and joviality of your dog’s groomer at stake, but you may, someday, have to consider taking over the responsibility of grooming your dog. If you wouldn’t want to do it, it’s time to call in the dog obedience training techniques:

Bathing: True, few dogs enjoy being scrubbed to a sweet smelling sheen, but if your dog understands the sit, down, and stay commands, your bathroom might be saved from a tsunami of dog hair, dirty water, and soap bubbles. Puppy training should include plenty of bath time, so she grows accustomed to this shower of affection.

One nip of the quick can send a dog running from the nail clippers. To avoid making that mistake, it’s important to own a dog who knows how to sit still or lie down during his pedicure. Brawling with your dog, just to get a shot at a single nail, often ends with blood and a dog who’s tainted against grooming.

Ear cleansing isn’t pleasant, but when your dog knows that if she sits and stays for a minute, it will be over quickly and she’ll get right to the treat, it can be notably simpler. In this area, dog obedience training means less grappling, tackling, and head locking.

Tooth Brushing: Puppy biting can be a problem for this one; as can adult dog biting. Train your dog, as soon as possible, to sit and to learn to love the taste of poultry flavored toothpaste, and she’ll have herself some pearly poochie whites.

Brushing of your dog’s coat is necessary for good skin health and a smooth appearance. So unless you plan on renaming your dog “Matt,” his fur will need to be tended to daily. Training puppy to stand and stay for brushing will speed this process along, and eliminate that maddening brush chase around the backyard.

Fur Trimming: If you’re adventurous enough to tackle the Bichon buzz, the Maltese mullet, or the Poodle pompadour, you’ll first need to make sure that your dog is prepared to stand, and stay, through it. If a trim down turns into a take down, she could suffer from cuts, nicks, and embarrassing walks down the sidewalk of shame for the next month.

Foreign Object Removal: Whether burrs, thorns, or matted bubble gum, your dog’s going to need to be able to sit still; or to roll over, depending where the culprit is. She’ll need to be conditioned to understand that tweezers and scissors aren’t weapons of mass destruction, but rather, tools that relieve pain. A calm dog, who is a product of professional dog training tips, will be more receptive of this concept.

Crate training, clicker training, and other elements of dog training programs are essential for fashioning the dog that you desire; on the inside and out.

Dog obedience schools often tell students to lift puppies’ ears, put hands in puppies’ mouths, and tickle puppies’ toes to condition them for being prodded. When coupled with positive dog obedience training techniques, these are excellent preparations for future grooming encounters.

Get to know the toothbrush, bathtub, and nail clipper with your puppy, as part of his dog obedience training system. This, along with dog obedience training techniques like the ones used by a top dog trainer, will mold a dog who not only acts like an angel, but looks a lot like one, too.

Dog obedience training techniques rely heavily on food, which is a huge motivator for any dog. This is an example of positive food motivation. But when food becomes a catalyst for aggression in your dog, you’ve got a food guarding situation, which can escalate to become dangerous for you, and the other dogs in your household.

Your dog’s ancestors guarded food because they often didn’t eat for days at a time. When a kill was brought back to the pack, the wolves that fought for the right to eat got to eat the most, and the best, meat.

If your dog has a submissive personality, he may inhale his food at record speed to prevent other, more dominant dogs in the house from horning in on his treasure. And, if one of those dogs approaches, he might feel the need to defend his meal. Or, if your dog is the dominant natured one, he might growl or snap at other dogs, whom he sees as freeloaders that don’t truly deserve a piece of his meal. One way to stop your dog from eating too fast is to use a product called the Omega Paw Portion Pacer.

Studies show that bloat is a leading cause of death in dogs. Teach your dog to eat correctly with the Stainless Steel Portion Pacers.

The Omega Paw Portion Pacer lets you control how fast your dog eats to prevent choking, gulping, vomiting, and bloat. Just place the Portion Pacer into any food or water bowl. It trains your dog to eat and drink properly – up to 8 times slower than before.

It’s easy to use, sanitary, and works with any breed, size, or age of dog. The durable stainless steel Portion Pacer washes easily in your dishwasher. Available in two Sizes: Small – 2.9″ Diameter and Large – 3.5″ Diameter.

Food guarding might be perfectly natural, but, as with many dog behaviors that we feel the need to change with dog training, it’s not ideal for modern day living. Prevention of this behavior, when your dog is young, with dog obedience training techniques, is the best course of action. Take these steps to prevent this potentially dangerous habit from developing.

Put only a portion of your puppy’s meal into her bowl. When she’s finished eating that, pick up the bowl, put more food into it, and then replace it for her to finish. You can divide the meal into as many segments as you’d like.

Stroke your puppy while he’s eating.

Hold the bowl while he eats.

Train your puppy or dog to sit before filling his dog bowl, and then ask him to sit again, halfway through eating. Keep an extra tasty treat handy for this exercise, like a piece of chicken or steak.

Interrupt mealtime and ask your puppy to sit. Reward her. Now take a piece of steak or chicken and put it into her food bowl. Stir the contents with your hand. Allow her to continue eating.

Take the food bowl partway through her meal. Put her favorite meat treat into the bowl. Replace the bowl and allow her to finish eating.

Ask children and other family members, along with visitors, to try these dog training techniques, too.

These dog obedience training techniques will teach your puppy or dog that his food is safe, that mealtime is meant to be free of stress, and that when you’re around, mealtime is full of bonuses. Add clicker training techniques to these food guarding prevention tips, and you’ve got the perfect way to accomplish all of this, quickly and easily.

It’s important that you understand that these dog training techniques can only be performed safely if your dog isn’t already guarding food. If he raises his lip or his hackles, growls, barks, or shows his teeth while eating, you could be injured if you attempt to intervene.

It’s no longer necessary for your dog to guard, or fight for, her meal. Unlike her ancestors, she’s privy to an endless supply of food. When she fully grasps this concept, mealtime will be safe and pleasant.

Your dog’s development as a domestic pet has transferred the responsibility of survival from her to you. She can trust that you have her best interest in mind, and that dog obedience training, in and out of the bowl, is her ticket to a long and well fed existence.